Essay plans: themes
Explore how Shakespeare presents stories and storytelling
1. Othello's story telling which made Desdemona fall in love with him
“moving accidents by flood and field” “sold to slavery” fricative alliteration and sibilance create a sense of storytelling and
emphasises the hardships he has experienced, giving the audience an insight into why Desdemona loves him, as the
audience perhaps becomes enthralled in his story too.
“Hills whose heads touch heaven” aspirate alliteration builds the sense of wander; the figurative language demonstrates
his ability to captivate those around him.
“with a greedy ear devour up my discourse” the term ‘greedy’ suggests that Desdemona could not get enough of Othello
and his stories; she was hungry for excitement and storytelling, which is why she was so attracted to him. Their lives are a
complete contrast
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them” demonstrates the balance that they
employ on each other’s lives. Othello craved sympathy and a gentle woman to comfort him, and Desdemona craved
excitement in her mundane, traditionally feminine life. This contrastingly presents them as a natural pairing
Context:
The unconventional nature of the interracial marriage, and the unusual defiance and confidence of
Desdemona in a patriarchal society, shows that Othello must have made Desdemona fall deeply in love with
him through his story telling, as otherwise they wouldn’t have risked so much to be with each other
"black skinned people were usually typed as godless, bestial and hideous" in Elizabethan England- Loomba.
Othello defies this stereotype with his eloquent story-telling, showing it is integral to the portrayal of his
character
Critics:
Hazlitt - "Othello is noble, confiding, tender"
Johnson - "the fiery openness of Othello"
2. Iago's storytelling and exaggeration/ twisting of the truth to manipulate Othello
“Abuse Othello’s ear” Iago wants to poison Othello with lies; the use of ‘abuse’ foreshadows the physical violence that will
occur as a result
"You are well tuned now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this music" Iago uses a musical metaphor to show that he
will disrupt the current harmony in their relationship. Constant stage direction of "(aside)" creates dramatic irony, as the
audience is being made aware of his plans
"the Moor already changes with my poison" Iago is shaping and changing Othello subtly yet effectively. Continued motif of
poison from Iago
"I think that he is honest" Iago cleverly uses the word 'think' to create doubt in Othello's mind
"she did deceive her father, marrying you" showing that Desdemona is capable of deceiving the men in her life. Shows
that women were heavily judged on how obedient they were to their fathers, as this demonstrates how obedient they will
be to their husbands.
Context:
Women were expected to be obedient to both their fathers and then their husbands, and the fact that
Desdemona defied her husband is a key piece of evidence that Iago uses to manipulate Othello
Explore how Shakespeare presents stories and storytelling
1. Othello's story telling which made Desdemona fall in love with him
“moving accidents by flood and field” “sold to slavery” fricative alliteration and sibilance create a sense of storytelling and
emphasises the hardships he has experienced, giving the audience an insight into why Desdemona loves him, as the
audience perhaps becomes enthralled in his story too.
“Hills whose heads touch heaven” aspirate alliteration builds the sense of wander; the figurative language demonstrates
his ability to captivate those around him.
“with a greedy ear devour up my discourse” the term ‘greedy’ suggests that Desdemona could not get enough of Othello
and his stories; she was hungry for excitement and storytelling, which is why she was so attracted to him. Their lives are a
complete contrast
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them” demonstrates the balance that they
employ on each other’s lives. Othello craved sympathy and a gentle woman to comfort him, and Desdemona craved
excitement in her mundane, traditionally feminine life. This contrastingly presents them as a natural pairing
Context:
The unconventional nature of the interracial marriage, and the unusual defiance and confidence of
Desdemona in a patriarchal society, shows that Othello must have made Desdemona fall deeply in love with
him through his story telling, as otherwise they wouldn’t have risked so much to be with each other
"black skinned people were usually typed as godless, bestial and hideous" in Elizabethan England- Loomba.
Othello defies this stereotype with his eloquent story-telling, showing it is integral to the portrayal of his
character
Critics:
Hazlitt - "Othello is noble, confiding, tender"
Johnson - "the fiery openness of Othello"
2. Iago's storytelling and exaggeration/ twisting of the truth to manipulate Othello
“Abuse Othello’s ear” Iago wants to poison Othello with lies; the use of ‘abuse’ foreshadows the physical violence that will
occur as a result
"You are well tuned now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this music" Iago uses a musical metaphor to show that he
will disrupt the current harmony in their relationship. Constant stage direction of "(aside)" creates dramatic irony, as the
audience is being made aware of his plans
"the Moor already changes with my poison" Iago is shaping and changing Othello subtly yet effectively. Continued motif of
poison from Iago
"I think that he is honest" Iago cleverly uses the word 'think' to create doubt in Othello's mind
"she did deceive her father, marrying you" showing that Desdemona is capable of deceiving the men in her life. Shows
that women were heavily judged on how obedient they were to their fathers, as this demonstrates how obedient they will
be to their husbands.
Context:
Women were expected to be obedient to both their fathers and then their husbands, and the fact that
Desdemona defied her husband is a key piece of evidence that Iago uses to manipulate Othello
